about kayla

Hello, there.

I’m Kayla: a writer, teacher, creator, and mother. My family and I live in West Virginia, the place we will always call home. I love reading, I’m a natural story-teller—thanks, fam—and my favorite books/movies are Little Women and The Wizard of Oz. You can usually find me drinking Grindstone coffee, trying to find time to write while raising two daughters, sometimes practicing calligraphy or crocheting something cozy, and pretty much always reading a new book. If I’m not home, I love to dance to live music somewhere, sit at the bar at Backyard Pizza, or browse the sale sections at Target.

My love for writing started in high school, when I worked for the school yearbook.

I wrote my first story on a red plastic Mac, and when I saw my first by-line, i never turned back.

I later earned a Bachelor’s degree in journalism, where that love for writing continued to grow. I learned that the reason I love to write is because I get to share my thoughts while simultaneously connecting with people. There is something sacred about sharing your words with others, about someone taking the time to read what you have written. It instantly connects you, even if you’ve never met, even if you never will. That is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I hope to share parts of that here with you.

Today, I am a creative nonfiction writer, and much of my writing is inspired by my upbringing in Appalachia and the complicated love that I have for West Virginia.

As the John Denver song says (you know the one), “all my memories gather ‘round her.” 

I have a Master’s degree in teaching and currently teach 10th grade English. I also have plans to pursue a PhD in writing in order to teach at the college level. That’s for “one day”; I really love teaching high school right now.

I have also taken on one of the biggest adventures: motherhood. Kyle and I have two daughters—Daisy and Lucy Jo—and they have truly changed who we are. I hope to share about motherhood in this space, because if I’ve learned anything from this journey, it’s that women need each other in this.

One of my mottos is from my dad: “Don’t forget who you are or where you came from.” I want my life to reflect that, and I try to be truthful and grounded in everything I do. This website is where I share my stories, my ideas, and my life. I don’t share everything, but I share some things that matter and inspire me. I want to cultivate a community of authenticity, where we all are in this together, where we can all feel like we are enough. I hope you feel welcome and at home, and I hope you’ll find something inspiring while you’re here. Welcome!